CA Insurance License # 0C73111
For Michael Lipkins, financial planning is deeply personal. Growing up, he watched his family struggle during periods of financial hardship — Experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to ensuring that others plan wisely and secure their financial futures through disciplined, holistic investment management.
Now, Managing Partner at Phases Financial Group and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Michael brings over three decades of experience to the table. He works closely with individuals and families to build strategic, personalized financial plans tailored to all of life’s stages and phases. He believes that he can make a difference in his client’s lives, not just monetarily, he can help them determine what is possible, what they are capable of and will help them in any way possible.
A longtime member of the Raymond James Chairman’s Council and recognized by Forbes, AdvisorHub, and Bank Investment Consultant Magazine, Michael is a sought-after industry speaker and is known for building multi-generational, long-term relationships rooted in trust, clarity, and care.
Michael has earned the Private Wealth Advisor designation from Raymond James. This designation reflects his experience in managing the financial concerns of families, individuals and organizations of significant wealth, and his mastery of methods and resources necessary to support their expansive financial interests.
He lives with his wife Melisa, splitting time between the Bay Area, Portland, and New York. A dedicated runner and passionate supporter of Breakthrough T1D, Michael believes that financial success—like a marathon—requires steady effort, clear goals, and genuine support.
Awards and Designations
Private Wealth Advisor
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
Raymond James Global Top Advisors, 2025
Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors:
- 2026: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2025: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2024: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2023: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2022: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2021: Northern California, High Net Worth
- 2019: Northern California
Raymond James Council:
- 2025: Chairman’s Council
- 2024: Chairman’s Council
- 2022-2023: Leaders Council
- 2021: Chairman’s Council
- 2019-2020: Leaders Council
- 2016-2018: Chairman’s Council
- 2014-2015: Leaders Council
- 2013: Executive Council
AdvisorHub 250 Advisors to Watch under $1B, 2024-2025
Bank Investment Consultant Magazine Top 100 Advisors:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
Disclosures
Private Wealth Advisor
Private Wealth Advisor is a designation awarded by Raymond James to financial advisors who have demonstrated mastery in anticipating and managing the expansive financial needs of high‐net‐worth individuals, families and organizations.
Raymond James 2025 Top Advisors
The Raymond James 2025 Global Top Advisors is a 2-day event that takes place in Montreal April 14-16th. The event brings together 60 of the highest producing advisors from across the firm, though that number may vary based on those who are invited and available to attend the event. These top producing advisors were selected based on 2024 fiscal year production. Attendance at this event may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for being invited to this event.
Raymond James Chairman’s, Leaders, and Executive Council
Qualification for Raymond James Councils is based on prior fiscal year production. Requalification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award.
AdvisorHub 250 Advisors to Watch under $1B
Based on the period 12/31/2023 – 12/31/2024, released 6/20/2025. 1,972 nominations were received, and 250 advisors selected. No fees were paid for inclusion. More: bit.ly/45wjlKC
Bank Investment Consultant (BIC) Top 100 Advisors
To compile the list, multiple variables were combined into one composite score, including AUM, trailing 12-month production, percentage increases in AUM and production, amount of fee business, and production-per-AUM ratio. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award.